Pipe coating beveler and sealer

ABSTRACT

A method and apparatus for finishing the terminal coated end of a joint of pipe covered with an asphaltic, mastic coating. The joint of pipe is lifted from a supporting surface and rotated about its longitudinal axis to expose the complete diameter of the terminal edge of the coating to a heat source which partially softens the coating. A beveling iron having a configuration corresponding to that desired for the finished edge is moved into engagement with the coating edge and held stationary relative to the rotating pipe. The beveling iron is also heated to facilitate smoothing of the terminal edge and to assure sealing of the coating relative to the pipe surface. By maintaining the beveling iron stationary relative to the rotating pipe, an accurate and highly uniform terminal edge is presented. Any excess coating material which is removed during the beveling operation is prevented from adhering to the uncoated end of the pipe by a stationary scraper which continually engages the uncoated surface of the pipe as the latter rotates. The scraper is also heated to prevent the removed coating from adhering to it.

United States Patent 1191 Bickham 1451 Jan. 8, 1974 PIPE COATING BEVELER AND SEALER [75] Inventor: Francis L. Bickham, Dickinson,

52] 11s. or. 425/402, 1 18/D1G. 1 1 511 1111. c1 B28b 21/96 581 Field of Search 425/90, 108, 109,

425/112, 402, 435; ll8/DIG. ll, DIG. 13

[5 6] References Cited UNITED S TATES PATENTS 3,120,460 2/1964 Schell et a1. 118/102 X 2,044,778 6/1936 Halstead ll8/DIG. ll

2,132,391 10/1938 Boylan 118/101 2,233,854 3/1941 Snyder.... 118/101 1,828,037 lO/l93l Ferrier 425/402 1,819,188 8/1931 Melville et al. 425/435 2,786,253 3/1957 Edwards 425/435 X 2,193,040 3/1940 Porter 425/435 X 1,499,719 7/1924 Bille ll8/DlG. 11

2,044,778 6/1936 Halstead l18/DlG. 11

2,132,391 10/1938 Boylan 118/101 2,113,873 4/1938 Bywater.. l18/DIG. 11 2,233,854 3/1941 Snyder 113/101 3,120,460 2/1964 Schcll et a1. 1 18/102 X Primary ExaminerRobert D. Baldwin Assistant Examiner-lohn MCQuade Attorney-Bradley and Wharton [57] ABSTRACT A method and apparatus for finishing the terminal coated end of a joint of pipe covered with an asphaltic, mastic coating. The joint of pipe is lifted from a supporting surface and rotated about its longitudinal axis to expose the complete diameter of the terminal edge of the coating to a heat source which partially softens the coating. A beveling iron having a configuration corresponding to that desired for the finished edge is moved into engagement with the coating edge and held stationary relative to the rotating pipe. The beveling iron is also heated to facilitate smoothing of the terminal edge and to assure sealing of the coating relative to the pipe surface. By maintaining the beveling iron stationary relative to the rotating pipe, an accurate and highly uniform terminal edge is presented. Any excess coating material which is removed during the beveling operation is prevented from adhering to the uncoated end of the pipe by a stationary scraper which continually engages the uncoated surface of the pipe as the latter rotates. The scraper is also heated to prevent the removed coating from adhering to it.

6 Claims, 8 Drawing Figures PATENTED 8|974 3,784,349

' sum 10F 3 INVENTOR. Francis L. B/ckham BY%WMJM ATTORNEYS PATENTEU 8W4 3,7843%9 SHEET 2 BF 3 INVENTOR. S Franc'LsLBick/mm p; v MM/MM ATTORNEYS /NVENTOR Francis Z- Sick/Jan ATTORNEYS 1 PIPE COATING BEVELER AND SEALER This invention relates to pipe coating apparatus and, more particularly, to apparatus for finishing the terminal end of a coating which has been applied to a length of pipe.

It is common practice in the pipe coating industry to apply an asphaltic, mastic type coating to the pipe for protective purposes. This type of coating which comprises a meltable binder material and'aggregate parti cles is normally applied to the pipe while in a molten state by extruding it onto the pipe surface.

One method of applying an asphaltic coating of the type described above is to couple the joints of pipe together in end-to-end relationship for a continuous coating operation. This is achieved through the use of couplers which telescope over the trailing end of one joint of pipe and the leading end of a following joint of pipe. Thus, both the pipe and the coupler are coated with the asphaltic coating.

The coupler not only serves to couple successive joints of pipe together for the coating operation, but also, when removed, provides a terminal uncoated end portion of the pipe which is necessary for joining the lengths of pipe together in the field to present the pipeline.

The couplers are removed after the coating operation by pulling them from the ends of the joints of pipe. This results in a relatively uneven jagged line of fracture between the coating undesirable the pipe and the. coating on the coupler. This jagged edge is undersirable because it interrupts the seal between the coating and the surface of the pipe and also makes it difficult to coat the uncoated portion of the pipe after welding of two joints of pipe is completed. The coating of the uncoated portions of two joints of pipe which havebeenwelded together is accomplished either by taping or by field molding utilizing a material similar to that used to coat the joint of pipe initially.

Since coating of the end portions of the pipe is accomplished in the field, it has been the practice to require the aforementioned jagged edge to be smoothed and beveled at the time the joints of pipe are coated initially. This assures that a suitable surface will be available for joining the field-applied coating with the coating which extends over the rest of the joint of pipe and also assures that the coating applied at the coating plant will be sealed relative to the surface of the pipe. It has heretofore been the practice to accomplish the necessary finishing of the terminal end of the pipe coating through use of a heated iron which a skilled operator utilizes to bevel the coating, smoothing it and sealing it relative to the surface of the pipe. This is a tedious and time-consuming process which requires consider able skill on the part of a workman and at best is nonuniform and limited in quality to the skill of a particular workman. Furthermore, it is common practice for a coating company to supply pipe for a number of customers each of which may have different requirements for the beveled terminal edge of the coating which is applied at the coating plant. Finally, once the finishing of the terminal edge of the coating is completed any excess material removed during the beveling process must be scraped from the uncoated end of the pipe so coating applied to a joint of pipe wherein the labor re quirements are reduced to relatively unskilled operators who control an automatic beveling machine.

An important aim of this invention is to also provide a method and apparatus for finishing a terminal end of a coating applied to ajoint of pipe wherein the coating can be beveled and sealed relative to the pipe surface by an automated machine with substantially improved results over those obtainable by a skilled craftsman performing the beveling procedure by hand.

Still another object of the invention is apparatus for finishing the terminal ends of a coating applied to a joint of pipe wherein substantial uniformity is possible as a result of an automated machine which can be preset to perform the same beveling operation any number of times. v

As a corollary to the above object, an objective of this invention is apparatus as above described wherein an automated beveling machine is utilized and the machine is adjustable to meet the varying requirements of the pipeline industry.

A further aim of this invention is apparatus for finishing the terminal end of a coating applied to a joint of pipe which is easily adapted for use immediately after the joints of pipe are removed from the coating line thereby automating the finishing process and avoiding the need for a separate finishing area at the coating plant. 4 i

A further important object of this invention is apparatus as described in the preceding objects wherein cleaning ofthe uncoated ends of the joints of pipe is accomplished simultaneously with the beveling procedure thereby eliminating the need for a separate cleaning process. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view ofajoint of pipe, the ends of which are supported by the beveling apparatus of the invention for finishing of the terminal ends of the coating; I

FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevational view of the beveling apparatus of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a top plan view of the apparatusshown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the apparatus of FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrating the manner in which the joint of pipe, which is shown in phantom, is supported upon the cradle rollers;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary elevational view of a portion of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 2-4 and illustrating details of the scraper member which removes excess coating material from the pipe;

FIG. 6 is a further enlarged detailed view of the scraper member which is visible in FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the beveling iron which forms a part of the apparatus; and

FIG. 8 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the bev' eling iron as it is being applied to the coating on the pipe. Referring initially to FIGS. 1 and 2, a joint of pipe 10 has been coated with a meltable material such as an asphaltic mastic aggregate coating 12. At the ends of the pipe 10 uncoated pipe portions 14 and 16 extend beyond the terminal ends of the coating 12 as a result of the couplers (not shown) which were present during the coating operation but have since been removed. Immediately after the coating operation is completed and the couplers are removed, the coated pipe 10 is transferred to a pair of upright supports 18. The supports 18 may-be provided with a padded surface to assure that the Coating 12 which is not yet completely hardened will not be damaged under the weight of the pipe 10.

The terminal edges of the coating 12, which are jagged and uneven after the removal of the couplers, are smoothed and sealed relative to the surface of the pipe by finishing apparatus which is comprised of a pair of carriage cars and 22 disposed at opposite ends of the pipe 10 and movable back and forth along rail sections 24 and 26.

Each of the carriage cars 20 and 22 is substantially identical with the other except that only one of the cars has a power source. Thus, the car 20 will be described in detail hereinafter and corresponding parts on the car 22 will be given identical reference numerals.

The car 20 is comprised of a framework 28 supported upon wheel and axle assemblies 30 and having an upright block support 32 over each of the rear wheels 30. Spaced above the framework 28 is a platform 34 which is pivotally mounted by a pair of trunnions 36 disposed atop the supports 32. The platform 34 is supported at its forward end by a power cylinder 38 which is operable to raise and lower the platform as the latter pivots about the trunnions 36.

At the forward end of the platform 34 a pair of rollers 40 and 42 are disposed to present a cradle for receiving the end of a joint of pipe as indicated by the phantom illustration in FIG. 4. The rollers 40 and 42 preferably are provided with a highly frictional outer surface for contact with the surface of the pipe 10. The roller 40 is rotatable with a shaft 44 which is journaled in appropriate bearings enclosed within housings 46. The roller 42 is similarly supported upon a shaft 48 which is journaled in appropriate bearings enclosed within housings 50. The rollers 40 and 42 are driven by a prime mover such as an electric motor 52. The output shaft of the motor 52 is coupled with a gear reduction mechanism 54 through an appropriate linkage (not visible) which is contained within a housing structure 56. The output from the mechanism 54 drives the shaft 48, and a drive chain 58 couples the shaft 48 with the shaft 44 through appropriate sprockets.

A bracket 60 which extends upwardly from the surface of the platform 34 at an acute angle is held rigid by a brace 62 and the bracket mounts a generally cylindrical roller 64 through a pair of bearing housings 66. As is clear from viewing FIG. 3, the roller 64 is disposed intermediate the rollers 40 and 42 and presents a stop which limits the longitudinal movement ofajoint of pipe 10 supported upon the rollers 40 and 42.

An angle iron 68 which is rigid with a shaft 70 that is pivotally mounted on the platform 34 by bearing assemblies 72 presents an arm for mounting a beveling iron designated generally by the numeral 74. The iron 74 is bolted to a plate 76 which is welded or otherwise rigidly secured to the angle iron 68. A power cylinder 78 is coupled at one end to a rigid upright member 80 which is secured to the platform 34, and has its piston rod coupled with the plate 76 for exerting a force through the beveling iron 74 and against the coating 12 on the pipe 10. The beveling iron 74 has associated with it two burners 82 which are mounted upon the plate 76 to direct a flame against the iron 74 to heat it and facilitate smoothing and sealing of the coating 12.

As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8, the beveling iron 74 is of elongated arcuate configuration and has a generally V-shaped cross section with its leading end 84 turned up to facilitate advancement of the iron through the coating 12. The face of the iron 74 which is opposite the plate 76 thus generally conforms to the desired configuration of the finished terminal edge of the coating 12. The iron 74 is also preferably constructed from a heat resistant material so as to withstand repeated applications of heat from the burners 82 without deformation. It is to be noted that a pair of bolts 85 mount the iron 74 on the plate 76 for quick and easy replacement of the iron with one of a different configuration. The bolts can also be utilized to adjust the precise disposition of the iron 74 relative to the pipe 10.

To partially soften the coating 12, heating structure in the form of an auxiliary burner designated generally by the numeral 86 is disposed on an upright standard 88 which is rigid with the platform 34. The burner 86 includes a shroud 90 for directing the flame of the burner downwardly onto the terminal edge of the coat ing 12.

To accomplish scraping of the uncoated end portions 14 and 16 simultaneously with finishing of the coating 12, to thereby remove any excess material accumulating during smoothing and sealing of the coating, :1 scraper member 92 is provided. The scraper member, which is shown in detail in FIG. 6, is comprised of two integral, intersecting, planar blade portions 94 and 96 disposed at an obtuse angle relative to each other to assure a wiping action over the width of the end portion 14 without disturbing the finished bevel of the terminal coating edge. The scraper member 92 is adjustably mounted upon a bracket 98 by a nut and bolt assembly 100 to permit precise placement of the member relative to the pipe and to accomodate different pipe sizes. It will also be noted that the member 92 has a tapered edge for engagement with the surface of the pipe 10. The bracket 98 in turn is rigid with a generally L- shaped arm 102 which is pivotally mounted on the platform 34 at one end and presents a handle 104 at the opposite end. 1

A burner 106 is disposed immediately above the member 92 and is also mounted upon the arm 102. A bracket 108 supports a directional nozzle 110 which causes the flame from the burner 106 to be directed against the member 92. Thus the burner 106 provides a source of heat for maintaining the member 92 at an elevated temperature to thereby assure that coating material removed by the member will not adhere to it. Spaced below the member 92 is a generally planar shield element 112 which prevents any material removed by the member 92 from dropping onto the roller 42. The shield 112 is rigidly secured by welding or other appropriate means to the arm 102.

The carriage car 22 is identical to the car 20 except for the absence of the motor 52, gear reduction mechanism 54, coupler chain 58 and the associated components which drive the rollers 40 and 42 in the case of the car 20. Thus, the rollers 40 and 42 of the car 22 are simply idler rollers which support the end portion 16 for rotation although not providing the rotative force.

In operation, after a joint of pipe 10 is covered with the coating 12 and subsequently moved onto the supports 18 after the couplers are pulled from the ends of the pipe, the cars 20 and 22 are moved into position beneath the end portions 14 and 16. The cars 20 and 22 are constructed so that with the cylinders 38 retracted to lower the platforms 34 into the position illustrated in broken lines in FIG. 1, the rollers 4.0 and 42 can be positioned beneath the sections 14 and 16 as the cars 20 and 22 are moved inwardly on the rails 24 and 26. Once the rollers 40 and 42 of the respective cars are in position, the cylinders 38 are actuated to raise the platforms 34 and thereby lift the pipe off of the supports 18. The motor 52 is then actuated to rotate the rollers 40 and 42 of the car 20, and thereby the pipe 10 about its longitudinal axis. As the pipe 10 rotates, the burners 86 are turned on to at least partially soften the coating 12. The beveling irons 74, which have been heated by the burners 82 are moved into engagement with the terminal edge of the coating 12 by the cylinders 78. Manifestly, the cylinders 78, while cooperating with the arms 68 to hold the irons 74 in a stationary position relative to the rotating pipe 10, are capable of exerting a substantial force through the iron 74 and against the coating 12 to facilitate smoothing of the latter. Because of the semi-molten condition of the coating 12 and the elevated. temperature of the iron 74, the coating is smoothed and also sealed relative to the surface of the pipe 10 as illustrated in FIG. 8. As a result of the fact that the irons 74 are held stationary relative to the rotating pipe 10 and in precise alignment for forming the beveled terminal edge, a high quality edge is produced and complete uniformity from one joint of pipe to the next is possible.

As the beveling irons 74 smooth and seal the terminal edges of the coating 12, a quantity of excess coating material is removed. While some of this excess material will be removed by the rotating action of the pipe 10, the fact that it is in a semi-molten state results in a portion of it adhering to the uncoated portions 14 and 16 of the pipe 10. Thus, the operators of the respective carriage cars 20 and 22 grasp the handles 104 and pivot the arms 102 to move the members 92 into engagement with the respective uncoated portions of the pipe. As the pipe rotates and the member 92 is held in a stationary position, any excess material adhering to the pipe is removed and drops upon the shield elements 112. This eliminates the need for a separate cleaning process after the beveling and sealing of the coating 12 is completed.

When the ends of a coated joint of pipe are beveled and sealed to present a smooth finished terminal edge to the coating 12, rollers 40 and 42 are stopped and the cylinders 38 are retracted to lower the pipe 10 onto the supports 18. The pipe 10 is then rolled out of the way and another length of pipe is moved into position for the finishing operation. It will thus be apparent that the method and apparatus of the present invention results in an automated finishing procedure which can be carried out immediately subsequent to the coating operation on a continual basis at a rate substantially equal to the rate at which coated joints of pipe emerge from the 6 coating line. The result is not only a substantial savings in manpower, but a superior and more uniform job of finishing than has heretofore been possible.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new and desired to be secured by letters Patent is:

1. Finishing apparatus for forming a beveled edge on ajoint of pipe covered with a coating of hardened meltable material, said apparatus comprising:

means for rotating the pipe about its longitudinal axis;

first heating means disposed adjacent said pipe to raise the temperature of said coating and thereby soften the latter as the pipe rotates;

an elongated arcuate finishing component of gener ally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration and having an upturned leading edge,

said component being mounted for movement into engagement with said softened coating as the pipe rotates;

means coupled with said component for holding the latter in a stationary position relative to the rotating pipe and applying a force through the component and against the coating; and

second heating means operably coupled with said component for raising the temperature of the latter.

2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pipe extends beyond the end of the coating to present an uncoated pipe portion and including a scraper member extending across the width of said portion and movable into engagement with the latter to scrape off of said portion any excess coating material removed by said component.

3. The invention of claim 2, wherein is included heater means operably coupled with said member for raising the temperature of the latter whereby any excess coating material removed by the member is prevented from adhering to the latter.

4. The invention of claim 3, wherein is included means operably coupled with said member for exerting a forcethrough the latter and against the surface of the pipe.

5. The invention of claim 1, wherein saidpipe extends beyond the end of the coating to present an uncoated pipe portion, and said rotating means comprises a pair of rotatable cradle rollers for supporting said pipe through engagement with said portion; and power means for rotating at least one of said rollers.

6. The invention of claim 5, wherein is included means mounting said cradle rollers for reciprocation in a vertical plane whereby said rollers can be lowered for disposition beneath said portion and raised to support said pipe for rotation. 

1. Finishing apparatus for forming a beveled edge on a joint of pipe covered with a coating of hardened meltable material, said apparatus comprising: means for rotating the pipe about its longitudinal axis; first heating means disposed adjacent said pipe to raise the temperature of said coating and thereby soften the latter as the pipe rotates; an elongated arcuate finishing component of generally V-shaped cross-sectional configuration and having an upturned leading edge, said component being mounted for movement into engagement with said softened coating as the pipe rotates; means coupled with said component for holding the latter in a stationary position relative to the rotating pipe and applying a force through the component and against the coating; and second heating means operably coupled with said component for raising the temperature of the latter.
 2. Apparatus as set forth in claim 1, wherein said pipe extends Beyond the end of the coating to present an uncoated pipe portion and including a scraper member extending across the width of said portion and movable into engagement with the latter to scrape off of said portion any excess coating material removed by said component.
 3. The invention of claim 2, wherein is included heater means operably coupled with said member for raising the temperature of the latter whereby any excess coating material removed by the member is prevented from adhering to the latter.
 4. The invention of claim 3, wherein is included means operably coupled with said member for exerting a force through the latter and against the surface of the pipe.
 5. The invention of claim 1, wherein said pipe extends beyond the end of the coating to present an uncoated pipe portion, and said rotating means comprises a pair of rotatable cradle rollers for supporting said pipe through engagement with said portion; and power means for rotating at least one of said rollers.
 6. The invention of claim 5, wherein is included means mounting said cradle rollers for reciprocation in a vertical plane whereby said rollers can be lowered for disposition beneath said portion and raised to support said pipe for rotation. 